Naperville Gives Green Light To Recreational Cannabis Sales

NAPERVILLE, IL — After months of debate and divided public comment, the Naperville City Council voted Tuesday to give the green light to recreational cannabis sales. The council voted 6 to 3 in favor of a zoning ordinance that would permit up to three recreational cannabis dispensaries within city limits.

Council members Coyne, Hinterlong and Gustin made up the dissenting votes.

The ordinance calls for recreational marijuana dispensaries to be located a distance of at least one mile from one another, at least 250 feet from residential areas and at least 1,000 feet from schools.

The Naperville City Council first weighed in on recreational cannabis in Sept. 2019 by voting to opt out of sales ahead of Jan. 1, 2020, when recreational marijuana sales became legal in Illinois. A March 17, 2020, referendum question resulted in 53 percent of voters favoring recreational cannabis sales in the city.